Seems like Bafana Bafana is going nowhere

One can argue that South African football has improved but there are still factors that challenge the development of South African football. One thing that has always been a problem is the inconsistent form of the South African senior national team. The South African national team, popularly known as Bafana Bafana has not performed well in recent years, failing to qualify for both 2010 and 2012 African Cups of Nations. 

Bafana Bafana logo ( http://www.faraitoday.com/)

                                                                                                                                                
Embarrassing moment for South Africa
The national team embarrassed themselves in October 2011 by celebrating after playing a draw against Sierra Leone, thinking that they had qualified for the 2012 African Cups of Nations tournament. It was a game which South Africa needed to win in order to qualify but drew and misread the rules of qualification. The South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC) mistakenly announced that Bafana Bafana had qualified for the cup finals while the South African Football Association (SAFA) president, Kirsten Nematandani complimented the national team for achieving, before realisation that SABC had communicated a false message. In a statement released by SAFA, it stated that it would appeal to the Confederation of African Football but later withdrawn. Damage had already been done as South African football supporters were furious and confused and SAFA became the scapegoats of what had been called " South Africa's football shameful moment". (http://www.sport24.co.za/)

  An exclusive interview with Bafana Bafana coach Pitso Mosimane as he gives his overview of future plans.(http://www.youtube.com/)

Way foward for Bafana Bafana

There has been a handful recommendations on how Bafana Bafana can improve their play and start winning games. Bafana Bafana coach, Pitso Mosimane has called for SAFA and the Premiere Soccer League (PSL) to work together in developing football in South Africa. Both SAFA and the Premiere Soccer League board should work on strengthening their relationship as there had been reports that some PSL soccer teams refuse to release their players to go represent the national team because of the busy schedule set by the PSL board. "We are working on a policy that will help us work with clubs as far as releasing players is concerned. As an organisation we have to flex our muscles and make sure that the national pride is not compromised by owners of clubs," said SAFA vice-president, Mwelo Nonkonyane. (http://www.supersport.com/)

Bafana Bafana's last five games results (http://www.safa.net/)

• 08 October 2011          South Africa vs Sierra Leone           Draw 0-0
• 12 November 2011       South Africa vs Cote d'Ivoire             Draw 1-1
• 15 November 2011       Zimbabwe vs South Africa                   Lost  2-1
• 06 January 2012           Equatorial Guinea vs South Africa    Draw 0-0
• 29 February 2012         South Africa vs Senegal                   Draw 0-0